It looks like BMW launched a new 1-series promo mini-site on bmwusa.com today. I was poking through it, and it mentions an "Electronic Limited Slip Differential" being standard on all new 1-series. Is this marketing hype, or a true LSD?

Being serious yes it will have an electronic LSD, but it won't be as good as a real one and next time you make a topic make sure you put it in the right sections of the forums......

Your response doesn't make any sense. I asked if it was a true LSD. You said Yes, but not as good as a real one. So it's not a "real" LSD? So the answer to my question is NO? An electronic fabrication?

I apologize for not putting it in the "other cars" forum, but the general forum tends to elicit better feedback.

You said you went on bmwusa.com and saw the LSD it states that it is electronic( so I thought you meant is it going to come with the car). It will come with an electronic lsd, So no it is not a real lsd.

When one wheel starts to lose grip it applies the brakes to the wheel that needs it. I believe it is standard on 135i, not sure about the 128i....

You said you went on bmwusa.com and saw the LSD it states that it is electronic( so I thought you meant is it going to come with the car). It will come with an electronic lsd, So no it is not a real lsd.

When one wheel starts to lose grip it applies the brakes to the wheel that needs it. I believe it is standard on 135i, not sure about the 128i....

I never said it will have a true lsd I said electronic

I understood what you meant, I was just pointing out how it was contradictory. I asked if it was a true LSD, and you said Yes it's Electronic.

I didn't miss the word Electronic. I just think calling it a LSD is a misnomer. It is just a standard diff with nothing more than electronic stability control. I read too much into BMW calling it a LSD (electronic or not). Seeing it called a LSD implies a mechanical component at the heart of the system.

I didn't miss the word Electronic. I just think calling it a LSD is a misnomer. It is just a standard diff with nothing more than electronic stability control. I read too much into BMW calling it a LSD (electronic or not). Seeing it called a LSD implies a mechanical component at the heart of the system.

So is this "electronic LSD" a more aggressively programmed DSC?

no it's not a more aggressively programmed DSC. your car my friend has that electronic LSD as well.

Since March 2007 production, BMW 335ì, 335d, 130ì are equipped with an electronic differential lock.
The same system will be fitted to the 135ì.
Essentially, it is not a mechanical LSD, but the effect is similar. It is reported to be as an LSD, just a tad slower and easier to manage.
It is possible to "drift" with it, something that was not feasible with pre march production cars.
The differential itself is welded, not bolted (that is why Quaife is asking for more money to modify into real LSD post march production cars) and the DTC has a revised logic. In fact, with all controls OFF (press button for 5 secs...), the DTC intervenes when a tyre (normally the one on the inside of the curve) starts spinning and uses the breaks to slow it, transferring torque to the non spinning wheel.
The strange thing is that BMW has advertised this system six months after introducing it into production.
An EDL will be dismounted in a few days in Italy to find out if the internal mechanics differ...and the findings will be posted on the Italian forum.
Apparently it is not just "a software" so pre-march production cars can not be updated to EDL with a simple software upgrade......